Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and its headline feature is a rebuilt Siri. But many people who updated found that the new assistant is not simply there. Siri AI is still labeled a beta, it is not switched on by default, and you have to join a waitlist.
This guide walks through exactly how to get it, which devices and languages qualify, and what to check if the option does not appear.
Quick answer
- Update to iOS 27 (Settings > General > Software Update).
- Go to Settings > Siri. If Siri is off, tap Turn On Siri first.
- Tap Try Siri AI (Beta) and follow the prompts.
- Wait for Apple’s notification. Siri AI downloads automatically when your wait is over.
Step 1: Check that your iPhone qualifies
Two different requirements apply:
| What | Requirement |
|---|---|
| iOS 27 update | iPhone 11 and newer (same list as iOS 26), per MacRumors |
| Siri AI | An Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro and newer, per MacRumors and Engadget. The standard iPhone 15 is not included |
Apple’s support page also lists other devices that can use Siri AI when updated to the matching software: iPad (iPadOS 27), Mac (macOS 27 Golden Gate), Apple Vision Pro (visionOS 27), and Apple Watch (watchOS 27) on Series 9 or later, Ultra 2 or later, and SE 3 when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby.
Step 2: Check language and region
- Your device language and Siri language must be set to the same supported language, and your Apple Account must be in an eligible region.
- Siri AI is currently available in English. According to MacRumors, Apple said French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish are due in October.
- Apple says Siri AI is not available on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch in the EU, and it does not currently work if your Apple Account region is mainland China. On Mac and Apple Vision Pro, Apple says it is available for EU account regions when device and Siri languages are English.
- Apple says that once Siri AI is turned on, it keeps working when you travel to other regions.
Step 3: Update to iOS 27
- Back up your iPhone first.
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Update Now. Rollout can take a while to reach everyone, so keep checking if it does not appear.
Step 4: Join the Siri AI waitlist
- Open Settings and tap Siri.
- If Siri is off, tap Turn On Siri.
- Tap Try Siri AI (Beta).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to pick a voice, complete voice enrollment and review privacy settings.
- You are added to a waitlist. Apple says wait times vary. MacRumors reported some users got access within minutes while others waited hours or days.
- When your turn comes, Siri AI downloads automatically and the standalone Siri app should appear on your Home Screen.
You should not need to repeat this on every device. One tip reported by OS X Daily is that approval on one device carried over to others; confirm this on your own devices.
What Siri AI does
Based on Apple’s description and coverage of the launch:
- A dedicated Siri app where you can talk or type, with conversation history synced privately across your devices through iCloud.
- Understanding of personal context such as your messages, email, photos and what is on your screen, to complete multi-step actions.
- Follow-up questions, and a Visual Intelligence mode in Camera.
- Apple says the new Apple Foundation Models were built in collaboration with Google using Gemini technology and run on device and on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute servers. Apple says data is used only to carry out your request.
To manage saved conversations, Engadget (writing during the beta) points to Settings > Siri > Keep Conversations, with options of 30 days, one year or forever. Menu names can change, so check on your device.
Apple has said Siri AI has daily usage limits, and MacRumors reports expanded access is planned with select iCloud+ plans.
Troubleshooting: “Try Siri AI” isn’t showing
Go through this checklist in order:
- Confirm the software version. Settings > General > About should show iOS 27.
- Confirm the device. iPhone 15 Pro or newer is required.
- Match your languages. Set device language and Siri language to the same supported language (English).
- Check your region. iPhone users in the EU are not eligible at launch.
- Turn Siri on first. If Siri is off, Try Siri AI may not appear until you tap Turn On Siri.
- Restart your iPhone. Apple’s Siri troubleshooting advice includes restarting and checking that Siri settings are enabled.
- Check for a VPN. Apple notes that some VPN profiles can block Siri.
- Be patient. If you joined the waitlist, wait times can range from minutes to days.
FAQ
Is Siri AI free? Apple has not described a separate fee in the sources we reviewed. It does say there are daily usage limits and that expanded access is coming with some iCloud+ plans.
Why can’t I see Siri AI after updating? It is a beta and requires a waitlist. It also needs a compatible iPhone, matching languages and an eligible region.
Does the iPhone 15 (non-Pro) support Siri AI? No. According to MacRumors and Engadget, it is limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
Will Siri AI come to more languages? Apple has said more languages are coming in October, per MacRumors.
Is my data shared with Google? Apple says the models were developed in collaboration with Google and run on Apple devices and Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, and that data is used only to fulfill your request. Review Apple’s privacy documentation for details.
Conclusion
Getting Siri AI is a three-part job: a compatible iPhone, the right language and region, and a spot off the waitlist. If the option is missing, the cause is almost always one of those. Once you are in, it is worth spending a few minutes in the Siri settings to review your privacy and history choices.
SOURCES
- Apple Support, “How to get Siri AI”: https://support.apple.com/en-us/127893
- Apple Newsroom, “Apple Intelligence brings powerful AI capabilities into everyday experiences” (June 2026): https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/06/apple-intelligence-brings-powerful-ai-capabilities-into-everyday-experiences/
- Apple Support, “If Siri isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad”: https://support.apple.com/en-is/105037
- MacRumors, “Reminder: iOS 27’s All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here’s How to Sign Up,” Sept 15, 2026: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/ios-27-siri-ai-has-waitlist-how-to-join/
- MacRumors, “Apple Announces iOS 27 Release Date,” Sept 9, 2026: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-announces-ios-27-release-date/
- Engadget, “How to use the new Siri app in iOS 27”: https://www.engadget.com/2242748/how-to-use-the-new-siri-app-in-ios-27/
- OS X Daily, “Where’s Siri AI in iOS 27”: https://osxdaily.com/2026/09/15/where-siri-ai-how-enable-ios-macos-27/